The Prevalence Of School-age Widows, Ganjar Reminds Marriage Of A Minimum Of 21 Years For Women And 25 For Men

Governor of Central Java Ganjar Pranowo. (doc. Central Java Provincial Government Public Relations)

CENTRAL JAVA - Governor of Central Java (Central Java) Ganjar Pranowo invites all teenagers in Indonesia to prevent early marriage and at the same time stay away from free sex in order to create a nation that is superior and physically and mentally healthy.

"Marriage must be at least 21 for women and 25 for men. Why is that? Because if you are under the age of 21 for women and 25 years for men, physically, mentally and financially they are not ready," said Ganjar at Yogyakarta, quoted from Antara, Sunday, August 22.

Ganjar emphasized that currently the condition of teenagers in Indonesia is concerning because there are many 'JUS' or School Age Widows found.

Many children are found to have married at a very young age, but are not physically or mentally ready to become parents.

The reason for the large number of 'JUS' is due to economic and social and cultural factors in Indonesia which think that the age after graduating from school is the right time to marry off their children.

In fact, marriage must be planned and go through five life transitions that are in accordance with the adolescent reproductive health cycle. It aims to reduce the mortality rate for mothers and babies, which is currently still very high.

"Many parents marry off their children, especially girls who are afraid that they will become spinsters. In fact, the marriage should have been planned," he said.

In addition to avoiding early marriage and free sex, Ganjar asked Indonesian youth to avoid consuming illegal drugs such as drugs, consuming alcoholic beverages and doing things that harm themselves.

Thus, teenagers must spend their youth for positive things and continue to hone their talents.

One of the ways he mentioned is that teenagers must have a busy life filled with positive activities such as participating in the GenRe (Generation Planning) forum.

Through the forum initiated by the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), young people can develop their potential, spend their young time contributing to the Indonesian nation.

"Employ other friends to create healthy, smart and cheerful Indonesian teenagers," he said.